| Charlotte, May 1st 1864 |
| |
| Major S. B. French |
| CS |
| Richmond VA |
| |
| Major, |
| Referring to my reports of
yesterdays date, I am this morning in recd of a communication from Capt
Witherspoon, enclosing copy of your despatch to him: "Communicate with
Major W H Smith & say that he will render most able assistance by
looking after the meat alluded to in his letter of the 25th and securing
as much as possible for shipment to Virginia after which to proceed to
Wilmington & await orders." With a little acumen, Capt Witherspoon might
have forwarded your telegram by the wires, & this morning I should ?????
?pot ready to do what I could in the premises. As it is, I should have
to await the evenings train. |
| This morning I find increased
??? of corn at the Depot -- about 8000 sacks {53
car loads}, & but 20 cars here. More have been telegraphed for,
but with the too limited rolling stock, the appropriation of a single
train to other purposes hinders the movement of corn & other subsistence
stores. Cols Sims I learn has his brother Capt Sims at Augusta has 100
cars in readiness for the Piedmont Road {unlikely,
since the Piedmont RR was a different gauge from the Georgia RRs}.
Until that road is ready for them cannot these cars find useful
employment this way? |
| Very Respectfully |
| W H Smith |
| Major & CS |
|